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As you probably know, there's a ton of emphasis on facial skincare these days. Walk into any beauty store, and you'll find rows upon rows of products for your face, each one promising to turn back the clock. When it comes to body care, though? Well, let’s just say the options aren’t as abundant or as glorified.
At 51, I’ve got my facial skincare routine down to a science but with the creation of newer and better products, I'm still looking for the one that is better than the last.
My basics include the holy grail of any routine: cleanser, moisturizer, serum, and sunscreen. But, like many women, I also focus on my biggest skin concern—hyperpigmentation. I’m not overly concerned with wrinkles because they’re just a part of the natural aging process, and so is hyperpigmentation, but I choose to pick my battles and my current battle is with pigmentation.
You might have heard that youthful-looking skin isn’t about being wrinkle-free but having an even, clear complexion. That’s one reason why, I think, foundation has always been such a staple in makeup—it's about creating a smooth even skin tone.
But what about the rest of our bodies? Just like our faces, the skin on our bodies ages too. We’re so focused on our faces because, well, that’s what we see almost every time we look in the mirror. Meanwhile, our bodies are usually covered up and often end up being an afterthought in our skincare routines. And if I'm being honest, for me sometimes, it takes extra time I don't necessarily have!
Basic body moisturizers and scrubs have been around forever, but here’s the thing—our bodies experience the same types of issues our faces do too. Think of age spots, sagging skin, dryness, redness, rough patches, and tiny bumps. While there are body care products that target these concerns, they aren’t as generous or as advanced as the facial products out there.
Honestly, I’ve been on a mission to find good body skincare products that actually work for mature skin and I want to share with you a full body skincare routine that you might find useful.
What Happens To The Skin On Our Bodies As We Age
As we get older, the skin on our bodies goes through a lot of the same changes as the skin on our faces. But, let’s be honest, we tend to neglect the skin on our bodies until one day we begin to notice those little imperfections staring back at us.
Here’s what usually happens as our body’s skin ages:
Loss of Elasticity
Over time, our body produces less collagen and elastin—those two powerhouse proteins that keep our skin firm, tight, and bouncy. As these proteins start to dwindle, our skin becomes more prone to sagging. This is when you start to notice changes in places like your upper arms, thighs, and stomach.
Dryness
Another thing that comes with age? Our skin produces less oil. Less oil means more dryness and flakiness, especially in areas like our arms, legs, and hands. And when the weather gets cold or dry, that tight, uncomfortable feeling gets worse.
Age Spots and Pigmentation
Just like our faces, the skin on our bodies isn’t immune to age spots and hyperpigmentation. Years of sun exposure and the natural aging process show up as dark spots, most noticeably on our chest, the backs of our hands, and the tops of our arms.
Thinning Skin
Thinning skin is a natural part of aging, but it comes with its own set of challenges. Thinner skin is more prone to bruising, bleeding, and irritation. Even a small bump or scratch can leave a mark that takes longer to heal.
Understanding these changes is the first step toward taking better care of our bodies. While we can't stop time, we can definitely help our skin age more gracefully by giving it the extra attention it needs. It’s all about adjusting our routines, being mindful, and embracing the process with a little bit of love for ourselves.
Skin Care Is More Than What You Put On Your Skin
We all know by now that skincare isn't just about what we put ON our skin, but it is also about what we put IN our bodies. There's absolutely no use slapping on lotions and potions if you're not properly taking care of your body through a balanced diet, hydration, and an overall healthy lifestyle. And this is especially true as we go into our 40s and beyond. A healthy diet and lifestyle in general helps support our skin from the inside out!
Our bodies are no longer the well-oiled machines it was in their 20s!
Remember, menopause also throws our skin out of balance. As our estrogen levels decline, our skin starts to show the effects - dryness, dullness, and thinning are all common.
This is why taking a holistic approach to skincare is extremely important the older we get.
Full Body Skincare Routine Recommendations
Now let me just start by saying - that everybody's skin is different. What you might see as a concern might not be so for another person. And with a lot of skincare, what might work wonders for me might not work for you and it might take a lot of trial and error before you find something that suits your skin and actually works to target those concerns you have.
Cleansers
Similar to what you do for your face, choosing the right cleanser for your body can make a lot of difference. I have found that gentle, hydrating cleansers are the best for mature skin - they don't strip your skin of its natural oils, which is important.
For colder months when dryness becomes one of the major skin concerns, you could switch your cleanser to a cream or oil-based one. And if you're dealing with texture issues like bumps and rough patches, you can opt for cleansers that contain salicylic or glycolic acid to gently exfoliate while you cleanse.
Exfoliation
Speaking of exfoliation - it's an absolute must for keeping your skin smooth and glowing.
Exfoliating your body once or twice a week helps slough off those dead skin cells and helps promote new cell turnover.
I like to use a combination of physical and chemical exfoliants - a good body scrub paired with an alpha hydroxy acid lotion can work wonders to give you smooth, glowing skin.
I also use glycolic acid to spot exfoliate a few times a week, especially on rough spots like my elbows, knees, and feet.
Treatments
Just like our faces, our bodies can benefit a great deal from targeted treatments.
No matter your skin concerns, whether you're dealing with pigmentation, sagging skin, or flakiness, there are products out there with active ingredients that can help minimize their appearance.
For instance, retinol is not just for your face! Body lotions with retinol can help skin issues like fine lines, sagging skin, age spots, and pigmentation.
If you're struggling with rough patches or bumpy skin, products with AHAs in them like glycolic or lactic acid can help with skin texture and smooth out your skin leaving it soft and silky.
And if you're looking for an overall skin tone, look for products that contain niacinamide, vitamin C, alpha arbutin, or even tranexamic acid.
Personally, I've tried almost all of Paula's Choice body treatment products, and I cannot recommend them enough because they are skin-changing!
Moisturizer
Moisturizing is non-negotiable for mature skin. Depending on your skin's needs and your preference, you can look for rich, hydrating formulas that contain ingredients like omega fatty acids, shea butter, or argan oil or you can look for lightweight moisturizers with hardworking ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
These ingredients can help lock in moisture and keep your skin feeling soft, supple, and nourished.
Don't forget to pay extra attention to the areas on your body that tend to be drier, like your shins, elbows, knees, and hands - and don't forget your feet!
Sunscreen
As I have aged, I've regretted not having started using sunscreen earlier. The importance of sunscreen has taken the world by storm, and I'm actually slightly envious of the younger generation who get to grow up with so much information about it and are spoilt by choice by the number of excellent products out there at a much earlier age.
Sun damage doesn't discriminate - using sunscreen on your body is as important as your face. It will do as much harm to your arms, legs, chest, and even your hands!
Sunscreen isn't just for beach days, it's an everyday essential. So make a habit of applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF30 or higher, to any exposed areas of your body, especially if you're out and about, but really, at home too! Don't forget to reapply throughout the day. Maybe in a couple of years, somebody will come up with a sunscreen that you don't need to reapply every couple of hours!
A Well-Balanced Diet
Well, no amount of lotions and potions will help if we're not consciously paying attention to what we're putting into our bodies.
I truly believe that healthy skin starts from the inside out and a well-balanced diet can do wonders for how your skin looks and feel.
Leafy green, green tea, salmon, nuts, avocados, tomatoes, and berries are some foods that can help you achieve healthy skin. They are packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and healthy fats to help nourish your skin and slow down the signs of aging. Drinking water instead of sodas will also do wonders for your skin.
So when looking after your skin, make it a more holistic approach, combining skincare and the right diet - you will notice the difference in how your skin ages.
Taking care of our body’s skin can sometimes feel like an afterthought, especially when so much emphasis is placed on facial skincare. And it might seem a bit cumbersome because of the extra time it takes.
But the truth is, we only have this one skin, and it deserves love and care from head to toe.
Creating a routine that includes cleansing, exfoliation, treatments, hydration, sun protection and a proper will help your skin age gracefully.
So, let’s give our bodies the same TLC we give our faces and embrace aging with healthy and radiant skin at every stage!
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, if you purchase something using my links, I may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you.
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